Bringing sacred music to life in the classroom and choir rehearsal

Preparing for a Pueri Cantores Festival is about more than learning notes and rhythms. It is an opportunity to deepen students' understanding of sacred music, explore the rich traditions of the Catholic Church, and help young singers grow in both musicianship and faith.

To support this preparation, we are pleased to offer a growing collection of lesson plans, classroom activities, and rehearsal resources developed by Catholic music educators.

These materials offer practical, creative ways to engage students with Festival repertoire while making meaningful connections to Scripture, liturgy, music history, and the arts.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Susan DeMarco and her fellow music educators from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for generously developing and sharing these resources with the Pueri Cantores community.

Available Teaching Resources

Gregorian Chant: An Introduction

Submitted by Michele Zampino | Grades 4–5

Introduce young singers to the beauty and prayerful tradition of Gregorian chant through an engaging lesson that explores the differences between sacred and secular chant. Students listen to musical examples, practice vocal techniques, learn entrance and Communion chants, and reflect on the role of sacred music in the liturgy.

Includes teaching activities, listening examples, discussion questions, and an exit-ticket assessment.

Download the Gregorian Chant Lesson Plan 

Communion Chant & Illuminated Manuscripts

Submitted by Hannah Muehlbauer | Grades 4–8, adaptable for K–8

Bring together sacred music, Scripture, history, and visual art in this creative interdisciplinary lesson! Students explore the history of medieval illuminated manuscripts, learn about the role of Communion chants in the Mass, and create their own illuminated artwork inspired by the Festival's Communion chant.

Includes lesson instructions, suggested activities, visual examples, and a chant coloring page.

*We gratefully acknowledge Adam Bartlett and Source & Summit for granting permission to reproduce the Communion chant in this educational resource, helping young singers deepen their appreciation of sacred music through both music and art.

Download the Communion Chant & Illuminated Manuscripts Lesson 

Teach Me, O Lord — Thomas Attwood

Submitted by Hannah Muehlbauer | Choral Rehearsal Resource

Help singers develop musical understanding and expressive performance skills through this comprehensive rehearsal-planning guide for Thomas Attwood's Teach Me, O Lord.

The resource includes learning objectives, composer background, connections to Psalm 119, targeted rehearsal strategies, vocal warm-ups, rhythmic exercises, and a sample first lesson.

Includes practical techniques for teaching diction, phrasing, syncopation, ensemble singing, and musical expression.

Download the Teach Me, O Lord Rehearsal Guide

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More Resources Coming Soon!

This collection will continue to grow as additional lesson plans, rehearsal activities, and Festival-specific teaching materials become available.

We encourage choir directors and classroom music teachers to explore these resources and incorporate them into their Festival preparations.